Sunday, May 15, 2011

How we got here ...

So a lot of you have asked me how I was diagnosed. I will tell you it's not an incredibly exciting story. However, the story is amazing in that it (or at least feels to me) was a complete fluke that we found it.

So April 1 I had my yearly exam. I was going to a new doctor - my old doctor's office closed down. Granted, I haven't had a yearly in about 3 years. And I'm usually better about going, but the doctor's office closed, I had young kids, it was hard to get out, and I wasn't sure how to find a new doctor. But a good friend recommended one to me, so off I went.

Now, I should also mention (for those that are unaware) my mom had breast cancer when she was 30 (I was 10 so I have very vague memories of it). I have ALWAYS put that down on health history forms. Dr. S (the new doctor) was the first one to ask me about it though. {Now, I'm going to give my other doctor's the benefit of the doubt because mostly I saw them through pregnancy and also I'm assuming most of them probably thought my mom was older and it wasn't a concern for now.}  Anyway, Dr. S and I talked about it and when she found out my mom had been 30, she kind of wasn't sure quite how to advise me. Generally, you are supposed to get your first mammogram (if you haven't already had one) when you are one year younger than your mom was when she had cancer. But I'm already 31 so we missed that.

The doctor kind of hemmed and hawed - 30 isn't a common age for breast cancer. She had done my physical exam and had no concerns. She was however, worried about exposing me to the mammogram at my current age if we didn't have to. So she decided to send me to a specialist to get her opinion on when to start mammograms for me given the history.

So a little over a week later (April 11), I'm in Dr. A's office (a breast specialist) - remember to get a second opinion on when and how often to get mammograms from this point forward. We get into the room and she tells me there are calculators to calculate your risk, but they don't even go down to 31, one starts at 34. And even with my mom's history, at 34 my chance of breast cancer is on 0.02% so it's probably not a big concern.

And then we start the physical part of the exam. And she's asking me questions. And some more questions. And noticing things. That's about the time I thought, um, things are getting kind of serious here. Then she does a quick ultrasound on me. And at that point she says I need to go for a mammogram "now." {Literally the order said when to be performed and she wrote "now"}.

I had a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound that same week on Thursday (April 14). Diagnostic means I had it done at the hospital and a doctor read it right then and there and went over the results. So that day I was informed there was a little concern and a biopsy was in order, but not to worry because it usually turns out to be nothing and if it weren't for my mom's history, the hospital doctor wouldn't even recommend a biopsy for me. They would simply want me to follow up in 6 months to see if anything changed.

One week later - April 21 - I had a stereotactic biopsy performed. And it was the following Tuesday (April 26) the results were in that showed cancer.

I won't lie. It moved so fast. 26 days between the first doctor's appointment and cancer diagnosis. Just 26 days. I still have a hard time wrapping my head around that. And I keep thinking I had no idea. My gynecologist had no idea. What if she hadn't sent me to the specialist? What if they would have said, oh let's not biopsy, let's wait 6 months and see? What if? What if? What if? I could drive myself crazy with the what if's so I'm trying to not go there.

Instead, I consider myself amazingly lucky that we caught when we did. That I have a diagnosis. That we didn't wait. That my gyn wanted a second opinion. Because really? I am lucky we found it when we did.

25 comments:

  1. Those of us who have come to know you and care about you are just as lucky - and thankful.

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  2. Oh Brandie, I have a feeling you're going to be sharing this story for a long time. I am so sorry but so thankful you caught it so soon. I am praying.

    Steph

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  3. I have lost so many wonderful women due to doctors not listening to their signs & symptoms of ovarian cancer that I could SING reading about your proactive doctor.

    Glad you've found an OB/GYN that listens & when she doesn't know the answer she asks for help.

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  4. We are all so happy you have a good gynecologist. We should flood her office with grateful phone calls and recommendations! Thinking of you.

    Happy Birthday!

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  5. Brandi! I'm so sorry! This is what happens when I don't visit The Motherhood as often as I used to- you go and get cancer. Seriously, I'm praying for you and I KNOW you'll beat this. You and all the rest of the gals on The Motherhood were there for me and my family when we lost our babies in '09- I'm here for you if you need me at all.
    ~Amber

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  6. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow and you are continually in my thoughts.

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  7. (I'm visiting from Tracey's and sending you strength as you tackle this beast. You will win!

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  8. Thank you for sharing your story. Thinking and praying for you.

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  9. Visiting from Sabrina's. Love and prayers flying toward you from here. What a blessing that it was discovered when it was. Be strong for your family, and let them be strong for you. (hugs) Women beat this thing every day!

    And it's okay to talk about your breasts, I promise you your readers are not visualizing your boobs! :)

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  10. You are beyond lucky, Brandie. You've got someone looking out for you. I am so so thankful that you found it when you did. And I need to find a new doc, too. 1) Haven't had my annual in 2 years now. 2) Turned 35 without a mammaogram.

    I have my fingers and toes crossed that your surgery is successful this week. Praying for you!

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  11. Cannot wait to give u a big hug tomorrow.

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  12. I am so glad you shared this. I know this will help other women. I know it.

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  13. Came over from Tech Girl. Wishing you all the best!

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  14. Stephanie over at Adventures in Babywearing introduced us to you. I've said a prayer for you and your family.

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  15. Got here from Adventures in Babywearing. Thinking about & praying for you & your family. :)

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  16. Clearly it was all meant to be and you are meant to kick this things ass because you have things left to do here!!

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  18. I am so glad it was found. Such a chance way of finding it! I'm in shock, but also thankful it was found. Good luck with your surgeries. Like I said in your bday posts - please let me know if you need anything (if you're on FB, Deanna Mustafa, if not, email me through my gmail account ;) )

    Keeping you and the family in my thoughts and prayers!

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  19. Best wishes for you. Sending prayers your way!

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  20. What a story. I am SO glad you found this and I wish you the best in fighting it. (I'm here from Steph's blog.)

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  21. Oh my goodness! I just read Stephanie's blog post. I am shocked! Will be praying for you.

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  22. You are so amazing. Thank you to Stephanie for sharing a tiny bit of your story and sharing with us.

    Cancer is awful and you will get through this. You have a support system of complete strangers that will be here to help you and send you love as needed. Don't forget how awesome you are!

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  23. I'm sending hugs, thoughts, prayers, and best wishes your way. You will beat this!

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  24. Sent over by Melisa... What an amazing story. Sounds to me like you're going to kick cancer's a@@. (I hope I can say that here!)

    My grandmother had breast cancer, too, and beat it at the age of 93. Of course I had to start mammograms at 35... nothing like you're going through. I'll be praying for you!

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  25. sending good vibes and prayers your way. Your story makes me want to get another dr just because it runs in my family as well

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Seeing your comments makes me smile! Thank you so much =)